They say you never forget the first time. How true that is for me. Mine was Etosha National Park in Namibia. My first safari. Everyone at the lodge had gone to bed, but I was too excited to sleep. Wrapped in a blanket I sat on a bench overlooking a watering hole lit up for night viewing. When booking your safari, find lodges with watering holes for intimate, up close animal encounters.
For the next three hours Africa’s superstars visited the liquid stage. First came the elephants, silent as ghosts, they appeared from the bush. Spraying and playing in the watering hole, desert colored water dripping off their backs. The giraffe were next. Three of them, slowly lowering their tall frame level enough to drink. Then in a sudden rush, they re-gather their tallness and lope off back into the night bush. The reason for their sudden departure? Lion. A pride of five. Crouched down, eyes scanning as they lap the water. Taking their time, they are in charge here. A lone rhino with prehistoric armor then takes his turn. Gazelle, zebra, and other antelope follow. I wanted to scream out to the entire camp – “wake up, the dream is this watering hole.” Instead, I sat as still and silent as the night, under a sky bulging with stars, the only witness to the most magnificent show on earth. My first African safari – I will never forget. What about you? Wher was your first safari in Africa? Did your lodge have a watering hole?
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From the time of my first trip to Africa on assignment as a fashion model in 1984, to my recent role as Africa Adventures Specialist for the Jane Goodall Institute, I've traveled to or lived in eleven African countries. Deepening my life long passion to nature and animals happens easily in Africa, but Africa remains 
3 comments
Joseph Vengersammy says:
May 25, 2012
i ‘was’ there too, thanks to you, sharing in that moment while every onelse slept.
joseph
Keep Mosquitoes away naturally on an African Safari | Africa Inside | Lori Robinson | Africa Inside says:
Jun 10, 2012
[...] You never forget your first time [...]
Lyle Wood says:
Sep 4, 2012
It has been just over six months being home since my first visit to Africa. Tanzania, to be precise. For all that I had read or pictures I had seen prior to the trip – none of that could compare to the experience of actually being IN Tanzania and seeing the beauty with my own eyes.
As I tell friends about the trip or share my photos, I can feel my energy rising as I do. For those who love seeing wildlife in their environment, a visit really is an amazing experience!